TEC

The Equitable Commonwealth is the nation state of the Arvorian Isles. It is the successor state to the Kingdom of Arvor.

Grand Pensionary
The "first among equals" of the Council of State, recognised as the foremost representative and de facto leader of the Commonwealth. They are elected by the Assembly from among its membership on Inauguration Day and installed that afternoon in a solemn ceremony at Government House. Aside from being chief executive of the government of the Commonwealth, they are also the sole person in the land who can grant pardons from the most serious crimes, which are absolute and binding.

Council of State
The collective executive body of the Commonwealth, which consists of twelve councilors total including the Grand Pensionary. The other eleven are nominated by the Grand Pensionary and approved by the Assembly on Nominations Day, which by law comes one week after Inauguration Day. The Council serves to advise and support the Grand Pensionary in governing the nation.

Assembly of Representatives
The legislative body of the Commonwealth, which consists of 185 deputies, each representing a single district and elected through direct universal suffrage by all citizens of 18 years age and older every five years. A candidate for the Assembly must be at least 25 years of age and a born citizen of the Commonwealth. The legislature meets in the House of the Assembly, for six months each year between mid-Spring and late Autumn. Following each election, the Assembly is sworn into office in a ceremony which takes place one week prior to the start of that year’s session on is known as Inauguration Day, which by law must occur within the first of Plantings.

All laws in the land must be proposed, debated, and voted upon by the Assembly. All bills must be approved by a simple majority of at least 93 deputies. Bills so approved then go to the Grand Pensionary for their signature, which sets them into law. No law in the Commonwealth may be undone but by a further act of the Assembly.

Offices of State
The administrative structure of the Commonwealth is built around a series of Offices of State, each of which is responsible for management of a particular area of concern and importance.


 * Foreign Office
 * War Office
 * Judicial Office
 * Tax Office
 * Imprest Office
 * Works Office

Grand Army
The land forces of the Commonwealth are known as the Grand Army. It consists of 21,600 foot comprising eighteen regiments of 1,200 troopers each, 5,400 cavalry divided into nine units of 600 men, and 1,200 dragoons for a total force of 28,200 soldiers. The Grand Army uses a range of armament. Heavy weaponry includes the cannon, demi-cannon, and mortar. Personal weaponry includes the flintlock rifle and flintlock pistol, pike, sword, and dagger.

The Army is divided into three regional forces of 7,200 foot, 1,800 cavalry, and 400 dragoons, each commanded by a lieutenant general appointed by the Grand Pensionary with the approval of the Assembly who serves a term of three years.

Society of Diligence
The prevailing religious and social belief system of the Commonwealth, the Society was the driving force behind the Glorious Revolution which overthrew the monarchy and established a republican democracy within the Isles.

The common beliefs of the Society are simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. Faithful of the Society, known as Diligents, are known for the simplicity of their traditions. The core concept of the Society's beliefs is that of covenant, that is, each person has the right to seek their own personal relationship with the Creator. This is achieved through prayer and the reading of holy scripture, done in both community services and the home in private communion.

Diligents firmly believe that proper worship of the Creator stems from simple, earnest means. There is no lavish architecture or ostentatious ornamentation in their chapels. Furnishings are likewise simple and functional. The clergy, known as parsons, are the foremost religious figure in their individual parishes, which encompass a village or town and the immediately surrounding area. Larger towns and cities have multiple parsons, each one leading a parish which typically consists of a neighbourhood or borough of the town or city.

Area
The nation has a land area of 233,062 square miles. Approximately 4.4% of this area is water.

Population
As of the first day of 1650, the nation has a population of 12.3 million.

Capital
The city of Alnerwick is capital of the Commonwealth, with a current population of 173,000. It is the largest city in the nation.

Locations

 * House of the Assembly
 * Prosperity Plaza
 * Harper’s Grocery Nº 6

Cities
Alnerwick, Bandor, Basinford, Galenholm, Highcross, Lockhaven, Portmore, Riverview, Roseminster, Wincanton, Winvale

Towns
Aspern Tallow, Binwell, Potsgrove, Finchmere, Gillingham, Long Stratton, Willesden, Goldacre, Stillwick, Chepstow, Leominster, Sanslow, Edgewater, Grimminster, Grantmore, Oldgate, Ampleforth

Villages
Bow Clayton, Morton Fendle, Badger's Drift, Upper Warden, Lower Warden, Cringleford, Ferne Basset, Lower Pampling, Monks Barton, Mereworth, Calchester, Holverston, Wigston, Oxwell, Great Pelfe, Little Upton, Marlingford, Exhampton, Alverton, Croford, Denton, Swinford, Mulbarton, Wicklewood, Holsworthy, Craydon, Burwood Mantle

Social hierarchy
There are three classes of people within the Commonwealth - gentlefolk, yeomen, and commonfolk. They are universally addressed as "goodman" or "goodwife" (or "goody" if unmarried).

Gentlefolk are those men and women born of prominent families of good social standing and wealth, who do not need to work for a living. They are often those who own extensive land and a large, comfortable house. They direct the larger and more prominent businesses of the Commonwealth, and are an active part of the economy of the nation.

The yeomanry is frequently referred to as the "middle class" of the Commonwealth. They own and cultivate modest plots of land, typically five to ten acres. Those yeomen who dwell in the cities of the land are commonly merchants or tradesfolk who maintain modest but successful businesses in a variety of fields.

Commonfolk are the everyday people of the Commonwealth and comprise the largest portion of its population. Most own a modest home on a small plot of land or live in a terraced house within the towns and cities. They are not particularly wealthy, but have the means to provide for their needs through honest work.

Calendar

 * Spring
 * Germination (Plantings)
 * Flower (Flowering)
 * Meadow (Meadow’s Rise)
 * Summer
 * Harvest (First Harvest)
 * Summer Heat (Midyear)
 * Fruit (High Sun)
 * Autumn
 * Vintage (Second Harvest)
 * Mist (Autumn Mist)
 * Frost (First Frost)
 * Winter
 * Snowy (Snowfall)
 * Rainy
 * Windy

Courts

 * To call a witness -
 * "Let Emma Bowen come forward." summoned citizen does so  "I thank you."

Constabulary

 * Protecting the people, protecting our values, protecting our prosperity.

Companies

 * R. J. Pickwick LTD
 * G. W. Dillingham Company
 * Excelsior Meats Company
 * Cunningham Studios
 * Wickens LTD

Literature

 * The People’s Voice
 * Directory of National Biography

Power
Magic is defined as those powers derived from the ability to wield limited control over the natural energies of the land itself, manipulating them for a variety of effects. All practitioners of magic are known as mystics.

Practitioners
A theurge is a mystic who has studied spellcraft in the Arcanum, the official school of magic operating in the Commonwealth under State charter. These men and women, highly educated and practised in their arts, wield their powers in aid of the people and communities of the land. There is at least one theurge living in every town and village in the nation.

Those mystics who are commonly self-educated, and wield their powers for more selfish means, being particularly skilled in charms meant to inflict harm and bewitch the mind, are known as occulti. Their motivations can be wide and varied, though wealth and power, as well as searching out forbidden arcane literature and artifacts are the most common goals that they pursue.